GPS

India is stepping up efforts to develop advanced space technology within the country, with the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) offering a combined ₹67.15 crore to four Indian companies working on next-generation satellite systems.

The selected companies are developing technologies that could make satellites easier to manoeuvre, enable future in-orbit servicing, improve precision timing and strengthen India's satellite navigation capabilities. The funding is being provided under IN-SPACe’s Technology Adoption Fund, which aims to help Indian businesses develop and commercialise space technologies.

The four companies are Manastu Space, Inspecity Space Laboratories, VyomIC and MumbaiSemi. Their projects cover different parts of the space technology ecosystem, from satellite propulsion to the electronic components that support navigation.

The funding offers an opportunity to move these technologies closer to practical use, although their eventual performance and commercial adoption will depend on development milestones and testing.

1. Manastu Space: A New Approach to Satellite Propulsion

Mumbai-based Manastu Space has been offered ₹22.08 crore to develop a propulsion system for small satellites using solid iodine instead of relying on conventional propulsion options such as xenon.

Satellite propulsion systems help spacecraft change their orbit, maintain their intended position and perform manoeuvres during a mission. The choice of propellant affects the design, storage requirements, operational complexity and overall cost of a propulsion system.

Iodine offers potential advantages because it can be stored in a solid form, reducing the need for the heavy, high-pressure storage arrangements associated with some conventional propellants. A successful system could help simplify parts of satellite design and make propulsion technology more accessible to smaller spacecraft operators.

However, the real benefits will depend on the engine’s performance, reliability and ability to operate under the demanding conditions of space.

For India, developing such systems domestically could widen the range of propulsion technologies available to satellite manufacturers and reduce reliance on imported components.

2. Inspecity Space Laboratories: Satellites Designed for Refuelling

Inspecity Space Laboratories has been offered ₹21.18 crore to develop a refillable propulsion system for small satellites.

The proposed technology includes a fuel port that could allow a satellite to receive propellant rather than relying entirely on the fuel loaded before launch. This approach is linked to a broader concept known as in-orbit servicing, in which spacecraft may be maintained, upgraded or supported while already operating in space.

Today, many satellites have a limited operational lifespan partly because they eventually run low on propellant. Even when their instruments remain functional, they may lose the ability to perform essential manoeuvres.

If refillable propulsion systems become technically and commercially viable, they could help extend the useful life of certain satellites and reduce the need to replace them as frequently. Such capabilities could also support future spacecraft designed to service other satellites.

These outcomes are not guaranteed, and refuelling in space presents substantial engineering challenges. The system must be compatible with servicing operations and work reliably in the space environment. Nevertheless, the project targets a technology that could become increasingly important as satellite networks expand.

3. VyomIC: Precision Clocks for Space and Navigation

Bengaluru-based VyomIC has been offered ₹12.55 crore to develop highly accurate and secure clocks for space applications.

Precise timekeeping is a critical part of satellite navigation. Navigation systems use carefully synchronised timing signals to help receivers calculate their position. Even small timing errors can affect the accuracy of location measurements.

Accurate clocks can also support communication between satellites, coordination within satellite constellations and operations in more demanding missions, including those travelling far beyond Earth.

Building this technology in India could strengthen the domestic supply chain for navigation and satellite systems. It may also create opportunities for Indian manufacturers to supply specialised timing components to customers in the wider space and electronics industries.

The key challenge will be delivering the required accuracy, stability and reliability under operational conditions. Space-qualified components must meet demanding standards, and their performance must be validated before they can be trusted in critical missions.

4. MumbaiSemi: Chips That Work With GPS and NavIC

MumbaiSemi has been offered ₹11.34 crore to develop a chip capable of receiving signals from both the US-operated Global Positioning System (GPS) and India's Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC).

Satellite navigation signals are used in applications ranging from vehicle tracking and mapping to transport, communications and other systems that require accurate positioning and timing.

NavIC, developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is India's regional satellite navigation system. Devices that can work with both GPS and NavIC could offer manufacturers greater flexibility in designing navigation products.

A domestically developed chip could also help strengthen India's capabilities in a specialised part of the semiconductor industry. However, its eventual impact will depend on technical performance, compatibility, manufacturing readiness and adoption by device makers.

The project is particularly relevant to India's broader effort to build more of its strategic electronics supply chain at home. Navigation chips are an important link between satellite infrastructure and the devices that use its signals.

What the ₹67.15 Crore Funding Means for India's Space Industry

The four projects address different but complementary needs. Manastu Space is working on propulsion, Inspecity is exploring refuelling, VyomIC is developing precision timing technology, and MumbaiSemi is targeting navigation semiconductors.

Together, they illustrate how a domestic space industry depends on much more than rockets and satellite launches. It also requires reliable engines, electronic components, navigation systems and technologies that can support spacecraft throughout their operational lives.

The support comes through IN-SPACe’s Technology Adoption Fund, a programme intended to help Indian companies develop and bring space technologies closer to commercial use. The latest selections bring the total number of companies chosen under the fund to seven; three companies were selected earlier in 2026.

The funding is expected to be released in stages linked to project milestones, with progress monitored during development. This structure is important because space hardware must pass technical testing before it can be deployed in operational missions.

If the projects meet their targets, they could help Indian companies build expertise in technologies that are essential to future satellite missions. They may also create opportunities to supply domestic and international customers, although export prospects will depend on cost, reliability, certification and market demand.

A Strategic Step, Not an Instant Breakthrough

The ₹67.15 crore commitment is a targeted investment in technologies that could fill gaps in India's space manufacturing ecosystem. It does not mean that all four products are already ready for commercial deployment.

The projects will need to demonstrate that their technologies can meet demanding technical requirements and offer practical advantages over existing alternatives. In space, reliability is essential: a component failure can jeopardise an entire mission.

Still, support at this stage can help companies progress from development work towards testing, validation and eventual commercialisation.

The broader significance is clear: India's space ambitions increasingly depend on building the specialised systems that make satellites work—not just sending them into orbit. If these startups succeed, their technologies could help domestic manufacturers develop more capable spacecraft and strengthen India's position in the global space economy.